Washington State Football: Lyman Faoliu, DL Out of San Mateo JC, Commits to Cougs

Last season it was Justin Sagote that the Cougars nabbed from the College of San Mateo, this season it looks to be another defensive standout, Lyman Faoliu. This kid is big and athletic, at 6’2″ 275 and has very good feet for his size. He is also a relentless pass rusher and plays with good leverage both in containing the outside and engaging with a blocker.

Mike Breske will love using Faoliu in the stunt game, as he has a terrific first lateral step and awesome explosion via his Hudl highlights. He seems to have a propensity for being around the ball a whole lot and is an aggressive, imposing defensive player when he gets there.

Faoliu will have 3 years to play 2 coming to Washington State, but I think the consensus is that he’s a “right now” player, a lot like Sagote was this season. He plays a lot of end in the 3-4 that San Mateo employs, which transfers nicely to WSU’s scheme under Breske. I can’t wait to see him rotating with Logan Mayes, Destiny Vaeao and Justin Clayton next season and quite frankly, he will add a ton to that group. He’ll also add a nice wig to the “hair raid” defense

The Cougars still need another defensive end (maybe two) that can play next season because the rotations that Breske likes to use may keep Mayes in the Buck position more often than not and injury is always a concern.

The Wazzu coaching staff also landed a younger defensive linemen out of American Samoa, Emmitt Su’a-Kalio, who is 6’4″ 250. At that size I would imagine he will eventually be asked to put on even more weight and be a run stuffer in the middle, or maybe he will be a key on the end down the line.

Go Cougs!